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MIS honored by MLive.com, Jackson Citizen Patriot

Michigan International Speedway garners a pair of honors from the Jackson Citizen Patriot and its MLive.com media group in a vote of its readers. The media outlet has named MIS its Corporate Citizen of the Year and track President Roger Curtis one of 13 Michiganders to watch in 2013.

The MIS mission is to be a part of the community and serve as a showcase for the Irish Hills, while creating business and tourism opportunities. The track annually welcomes visitors from all 50 states and 13 countries during its annual NASCAR, wine festival and other events. But that’s not all: the facility is also a fund-raising tool for local groups and serves as a venue for new business opportunities,

In addition, MIS and its charity foundation, MIS Cares, hosts numerous events throughout the year to raise funds to donate money back to the community.

Curtis has been at the forefront of these initiatives. In a vote of readers of the Jackson Citizen Patriot, Curtis was named one of 13 Michiganders to watch in 2013.

“It is an honor to be recognized for all of our accomplishments at the track and it means even more that our fans voted us these awards,” Curtis said. “This is a huge reflection on our staff and all the hard work they do throughout the year. We believe we are a great facility to show everyone who comes here how beautiful the area is, and create even more economic and tourism opportunities for local businesses.”

The spirit of giving isn’t just a seasonal belief at Michigan International Speedway; it’s the racetrack’s way of doing business, providing a valuable fund-raising platform for the community year-round.

MIS and its sister company Americrown combined donated a total of $631,500 to local service groups and organizations in 2012 through cash donations, work programs, grants and sponsorships, as well as tickets and merchandise that clubs raffle to raise money.

The speedway and Americrown annually work with service groups, church groups, Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions clubs, masons, high school sporting clubs and a host of other non-profit organizations to provide a platform for those groups to earn money for their causes and programs during the racetrack’s events.

Members of the community honored and remembered the victims and heroes of 9-11 during Spirit of America events at Michigan International Speedway by helping two local organizations. Thanks to the members of the community, MIS delivered a truckload of food to CCIS Food Pantry to help replenish the supply. In addition, more than $8,500 was raised for the Michigan State's Firemen's Association Memorial.

Following the success of an ongoing partnership to positively impact the environment while benefitting science, technology and math education, Michigan International Speedway and Adrian College developed plans for a first-of-its kind science center and science-related field trips at NASCAR’s fastest racetrack.

This unique partnership in sports will see hundreds of school children and college students from the region benefitting from learning about the ecosystem of the Irish Hills area, but also experiencing nature and conservancy that could contribute to their future work as scientists.

The partnership called TRACK AND EXPLORE has provided Adrian College biology students with opportunities to research and study animal and plant life on 900 acres of the 1,400-acre, environmentally rich Michigan International Speedway.

Michigan International Speedway has been chosen as the state’s only host venue for Tough Mudder, a hardcore, 12-mile obstacle course designed by British Special Forces to test strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie (www.toughmudder.com).

Besides its NASCAR races and Tough Mudder, MIS also hosts a number of other events throughout the year. The speedway annually hosts the Michigan Wine and Beer Festival presented by Experience Jackson in May, the Spirit of America in September and Michigan High School Athletic Association Cross Country Championships in November.